A San Diego addiction treatment center built around serving the LGBTQ community just marked 50 years of work most facilities in the 1970s would not take on and is being honored for it. While The Golden State features a broad range of inpatient and outpatient options, many programs don’t specifically cater to the LGBTQ+ community.
Stepping Stone of San Diego led the pioneering effort to expand inclusiveness in addiction recovery. Now, the agency will receive the Stonewall Service Award at this year’s Spirit of Stonewall Rally. This recognition arrives during the organization’s golden anniversary.
A Rare LGBTQ-Specific Treatment Model in California
Stepping Stone’s origins trace back to a small cluster of houses in City Heights. Over the next five decades, it grew into a residential treatment center with 31 beds on Central Avenue, along with an outpatient facility, three sober living houses in its aftercare programs, and short-term recovery services.
When it opened, being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer carried enough stigma that many people avoided rehab and medical care altogether rather than risk discrimination. Organizers built Stepping Stone specifically to remove that barrier, and 50 years later it remains one of the nation’s few LGBTQ-specific recovery programs.
Serving California’s Most Vulnerable Residents
According to deputy executive director Sarafina Scapicchio, most of Stepping Stone’s clients are unhoused at intake. Many arrive fresh from San Diego County jail with nowhere else to go or come with referrals from concerned family members. Others come because they felt unsafe or judged at facilities not equipped to address identity-based harassment alongside substance use treatment.
LGBTQ individuals experience substance use disorders at higher rates than the general population, often linked to minority stress, discrimination and reduced access to culturally competent care. A treatment environment where clients don’t have to hide or explain their identity while also working on recovery removes one more obstacle standing between someone and sustained sobriety. It’s a big part of why a 50-year LGBTQ-focused track record here matters.
Local Resources and Next Steps
Many of Stepping Stone’s graduates have returned to the organization over its 50 years. Everyone has their own story and perspectives to share. Some plan to celebrate milestones like starting a business or a family, while others have chosen to work there directly. Program manager Joe Westcott finished treatment at the facility in 2017 and has spent seven years since helping other clients navigate their own recovery.
All that effort has paid off for the agency. After 50 years, on July 17, Stepping Stone will accept its Stonewall Service Award with a float in San Diego Pride’s parade the following day featuring staff and program graduates.
LGBTQ+ Addiction Treatment in California and Beyond
Folks searching for LGBTQ-affirming addiction treatment don’t have to go to San Diego. Outpatient counseling and identity-specific support groups exist across the state.
Our browsable directory lists verified treatment centers across the entire country, including programs serving LGBTQ clients. Or, simply chat with an expert for local options by calling
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